Sometimes it can feel like your family is an equal opportunity shopper when it comes to your grocery bill. When you look back at the debit card or credit card at the end of the month, you can see charges from Publix, Kroger, Trader’s Joes, and Whole Foods. You begin to ask yourself between the groceries you purchased during the month and the charges you had for eating out, it is possible that you really ate that much food and yet there is still nothing in the pantry? If your family grocery bill is exceeding your monthly expectations and hitting that $1,000 a month mark, here are four smart money move tips on how to cut down on your grocery bill.
- Look For A Local Produce Program– Recently, my wife found a local program where we live in Milton that allows you to get a box of ‘produce’ every week based upon the number of people in your family. What’s great about this idea is that is rations out what you should be using during the course of the week when it comes to fruits, vegetables, etc. You can even give them an idea of the types of produce that you generally like and they will deliver what it is season. This can make a big savings for your family because you’ll avoid all the extras you pick up when you go to the grocery store.
- Make A List– As simple as this sounds, you tend to execute better when you have a plan. Grocery stores are filled with traps for those who haven’t come prepared to get exactly what they needs. From end of the aisle promotions to free samples, the good supermarkets know how to get you to spend more money. If you spend thirty minutes at home creating a list before you go, you’ll make less trips to the store and you’ll spend less when you are at the store.
- Shop At The Drugstore– Stores including Walgreens and CVS have morphed themselves into mini grocery stores. Especially when it comes to household supplies that you will need to have such as paper goods, coffee, and even basic snacks. The drugstores have each come up with their own proprietary brands, and you can find some really good deals if you are paying attention to them beyond the personal care items.
- Add The Bill Along The Way– Even though prices can still be visible at the grocery store, they are intelligently places these days in between shelves and not on the item itself. Take a piece of paper with your or a simple add and subtract type calculator and start adding up your total bill while you fill up your cart. If you have set a budget for the supermarket adventure, you’ll quickly realize whether you are on track or not, and that can help you determine what you might place back in the cart.
These are four of my smart money moves tips on how you can save money on groceries. What is your number one tip?
Written by:
Ted Jenkin
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Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS® Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS.
